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Posted: **Wed May 27, 2009 9:06 pm**

I was just reading on another forum that folks use 'surge protectors' when hooked up to campgrounds electricity. That last night I stayed in west Texas through a huge thunder storm, I was wishing I had unhooked the power cord. A surge protector would provided much peace of mind that night. Do you carry (and use) surge protectors?

Posted: **Thu May 28, 2009 7:35 am**

Interesting question Diana. I haven't done that, but will be looking forward to reading the answers here.

Posted: **Thu May 28, 2009 9:16 am**

Yes, I have a surge protector. Learned the hard way what can happen when you don't have one. Several years ago I stayed at an older park and apparently got zapped. When I was in So Dakota my AC wasn't working like it should. The repair man was in my rig checking it out and I was sitting in the dinette and reached down and felt that the cover of the fuse panel was hot. He RAN outside and unplugged me. My electric cord plug was charred and the wires to the breakers and fuses were charred. He said it was lucky I hadn't caught fire. That bill was almost $400 so the $270 for the surge protector was, in my opinion, a good investment especially since I live in and travel in thunderstorm areas. He said my problems was probably caused by a power panel at the park that was not putting out enough power to completely run my rig or its current was surging. I was lucky that my microwave/tv, etc didn't get burned up.

Posted: **Thu May 28, 2009 3:16 pm**

Karen, which surge protector do you have?

I feel a need to have one (i.e., your experience), but they're so dang pricey for one that'll do the job.

Posted: **Thu May 28, 2009 5:30 pm**

A lot of the new units have surge protection built in. I don't have and use a surge protector. I showed a reverse polarity at a state campground in Illinois so I was sure glad I had it there. I have to buy a new one because mine has been hit some time or other. Here at home, I have surge protection from the elec. company I pay for extra so I don't worry when I am plugged in at home.

Posted: **Fri May 29, 2009 12:16 am**

I have a surge protector, but I realized that I don't have it hooked up. I'll go out and do it tomorrow. This is a fairly new park and its electrical system is maintained and reliable. But I always use it when I'm on the road.

Posted: **Fri May 29, 2009 4:24 am**

Guess I should look into this. I have one inside the trailer for the TVs, but none that goes on the power cord. Is that what you mean? One that goes somewhere on the main power cord? I should have it for here at home, too, as we have thunderstorms. What do they look like, and how to they attach, and how do they work?

Posted: **Fri May 29, 2009 4:33 am**

We have one built in and glad we have it! Have had several friends lose all their stuff ( TV, microwave, VCR) from power surges.
We use the Good Govenor to plug into the electrical box before we even plug in our power cord to check to make sure the polarity is correct. Mexico is always either too low or too high so I'm careful and we have tripped ours a couple times on the surge protector in the States.

Posted: **Fri May 29, 2009 9:58 am**

I'm researching Soos, stay tuned......baby duty today though!

Posted: **Fri May 29, 2009 12:01 pm**

OK..I've been looking at surge protection/protectors, and this link gives me what I need, I believe. I will save for the 30 amp, portable LRV.TE34730----$304.56. Certainly not cheap, but way cheaper than replacing all those things in the trailer it would protect. Just one of the TVs costs more than that. It looks as if it would fit any regular campground electrical pedestal, some of which others will not fit, as I have been reading. It's weather resistant, portable, and easy to hook up. Free shipping and no tax. I can't believe I don't have one of these already, or I guess I've never thought about getting/needing one before.

Here's a link to the site where I found this one. I will look to see if other sites have the same model any cheaper, but I suspect not.

http://www.surgeguard.com/pdfs/Comp-Charts_12-07.pdf

I looked at the comparison chart (link on that page) to see what this one has and does, and it looks as if it's what I would want for all my expensive electronic things in the trailer, not to mention all the applicances, too.

Thanks for mentioning this device, whoever started this thread. I will get me one pronto!

Posted: **Fri May 29, 2009 1:01 pm**

Here's the thing for $262

http://www.rvwholesalers.com/catalog/auto-30-amp-over-under-surge-19-0415.html?&m1track=googlebase&utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=cse&utm_campaign=export_feed

PPL Motorhomes has it for $261.

And here's a 'lock' to lock the thing to your power cord.

http://www.dyersonline.com/Products/Surge-Guard-Lock-Hasp---Universal__17118.aspx

My question (posted under today's morning coffee...I should read ALL before I post! :oops:

) is how does one keep the thing from walking away? I know the lock keeps the two locked together, but in today's economy, for that kind of money - what's to stop someone from walking away with your entire surge protector and power cord combined? I suppose if somebody really wants it, there ain't no savin' it...

Posted: **Fri May 29, 2009 1:17 pm**

wow, those critters sure ARE expensive. But like Soos said, maybe better safe than sorry.

Posted: **Fri May 29, 2009 1:24 pm**

Mitch, don't feel bad.. I answered you under Morning Coffee too.. LOL but hey, I've had mine for years and when I had to buy a new one.. I didn't hesitate.. cause I had already seen what happens when you don't..

As far as being stolen.. Maybe someone else has a better answer than mine.. Real World.. I don't sit up all night wondering.. that may sound like a wise asp.. but really, it's kind of you hope where you park in the camp ground that no one is going around taking things.. when I don't use it I lock it up in my storage bin in a case..

God Bless
Zeee

Posted: **Fri May 29, 2009 1:47 pm**

Just found the 30A version at Camping World on sale.

President's Club = $199
Non-President's Club Sale Price = $222

Cost of President's Club = $12/1year
Shipping = $6.50

TN Sales Tax = $22.80

Some of you may not have sales tax because CW doesn't not have a physical presence in your state.
My total would be ~$240. I'm going to look around for somewhere with the same price and NO sales tax!

ON EDIT: Found it for $216 + $14 shipping (to TN) = $230, no tax - cheapest I've found

http://www.dyersonline.com/Products/30-Amp-Portable-RV-Surge-Guard__17090.aspx

.

Posted: **Fri May 29, 2009 2:47 pm**

I also bought the lock for the surge protector which I got at CW on sale. Even if the park is newer and has good electrical you can still get hit in a storm. Without the lock thingy someone could just unplug the protector and walk off with it when you're not in your RV. I chose NOT to get the one that was hardwired cause if you get hit it will destroy the surge protector (that's the purpose of it) and it will need to be replaced and I'm assuming it would cost a lot to have an RV tech replace it.

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